Every Disabled Child Matters
Every Child Matters: Change for Children aims to improve outcomes for all children and young people, including disabled children. As many disabled children's needs are complex and cross traditional service boundaries, they are one of the groups who stand to gain the most from this change programme. The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has undertaken a review of services for disabled children, including education, social services and health. The review, published in May 2007, builds on existing policy and guidance for disabled children and young people, particularly The National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services. The National Service Framework describes what effective health and social care services look like in practice. These services should be designed and delivered around the needs of children and families, in line with the ECM principles. Alongside the framework's core standards (applicable to all children), the disabled children's standard specifically states: 'Children and young people who are disabled or who have complex health needs receive coordinated, high-quality and family-centred services which are based on assessed needs, which promote social inclusion and, where possible, which enable them and their families to live ordinary lives.'Aiming High for Disabled Children: Better Support for Families aims to improve service provision across the board for disabled children and their families, enhancing equality and opportunity for them. It sets out the government's plans for improving service provision. NCVYS has prepared a policy briefing on the strategy which is available under the Policy section. Useful Links
For more information on these and other government policies and strategies concerning disabled children and young people >> Disabled Children - Every Child Matters In 2004, the Department of Health and the former DfES published >> The National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services In May 2007, HM Treasury and the former DfES published >> Aiming High for Disabled Children: Better Support for Families |